Is US-Saudi rapprochement bypassing Israel?

In recent years, Washington has worked to bring Saudi Arabia into the Abraham Accords by offering a wide-ranging “megadeal” that includes a formal defence pact and assistance with developing a civilian nuclear energy program, in return for Riyadh normalizing relations with Israel.

This strategy was reportedly close to fruition by September 2023, with signals from all parties pointing to an imminent agreement. However, the devastating October 7 assault on Israel by the Palestinian Hamas militant group and the subsequent military campaign in Gaza disrupted those plans.

Saudi Arabia has consistently maintained that it will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Nevertheless, a Reuters report published on May 8 revealed that the US is apparently no longer making Saudi normalization with Israel a prerequisite for progressing in nuclear cooperation talks. These developments emerge just days before US President Donald Trump is set to embark on his first tour of West Asia since returning to office, with planned visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE—but notably not Israel. An Israeli media outlet reported at the same time that Trump has grown “impatient” with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is no longer willing to delay key regional moves on Israel’s account.

Citing informed sources, the Hebrew publication claims Trump intends to make decisions that align with US strategic interests in the region, especially regarding the Gulf states, and is frustrated with Netanyahu’s hesitation to act. Adding to the tension, Trump is said to be “furious” over revelations that former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz coordinated closely with Netanyahu concerning potential US military action in Iran. According to the Israel Hayom publication, this reported frustration may explain why Israel was excluded from both the ceasefire announcement involving Yemen and from a key regional agreement. 

By Nazrin Sadigova